Corneal astigmatism after cataract extraction.

We studied all cataract surgery done at the ophthalmologic clinic of the University of Bari, Italy in the last 20 years (1966-85). We considered three methods of anterior-chamber incision (blade, Worsth's knife, Graefe's bistoury) and their effect on the dioptric values obtained from ophthalmometry a year after surgery. The larger corneal astigmatism occurred after opening the anterior chamber with Graefe's method; the best results were obtained using Worsth's knife. In this evaluation, the surgeon was not considered. Because postsurgical astigmatism is important for visual acuity after cataract extraction, it is desirable to keep astigmatism as minor as possible.